Dominik Szoboszlai channelled his inner Trent Alexander-Arnold to propel Liverpool to a 1-0 win over Premier League title rivals Arsenal at Anfield.
The injury gods continued to curse Mikel Arteta's men early doors, as the Gunners lost influential defender William Saliba to an apparent foot issue after just five minutes, forcing Mikel Arteta to throw Cristhian Mosquera into the lion's den.
The former Valencia defender held his own alongside the rest of the Arsenal backline, but Arne Slot's side were proving equally resilient from set-piece situations, and the attacking play from both sides in the first half left a lot to be desired.
Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net in front of the Kop on the hour mark, but Hugo Ekitike's close-range finish was ruled out for offside, although there was no disallowing a special Szoboszlai free kick inside the final 10 minutes.
A formerly cautious Arsenal suddenly began huffing and puffing, but their efforts were fruitless as Liverpool preserved their 100% record at the expense of the Gunners, creating some early breathing space at the top of the Premier League table in the process.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate are challenged by Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres on August 31, 2025
And the first title blow is landed.
Even with none of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Kai Havertz starting the gold vs. silver match, the consensus was that Arsenal had bolstered their attacking squad depth to the point of seriously troubling the Reds no matter who formed the attacking triumvirate.
However, Arteta opting for the safe option in Mikel Merino over Ethan Nwaneri or Eberechi Eze was telling; Arsenal came into the clash with the overriding goal of avoiding defeat, and their slowing-the-game-down tactics were in full effect from early on.
Such an approach very nearly proved effective - at least on the avoiding defeat front - but nothing could have prepared Arteta's side for a Szoboszlai special, after which Liverpool defended with the same vigour they demonstrated throughout the first 80 minutes.
From looking uncharacteristically vulnerable against Newcastle United and Bournemouth to calmly keeping Arsenal at bay, Liverpool's performance demonstrated why they are the champions, and the Gunners' display demonstrated why they are not.
LIVERPOOL VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hugo Ekitike disallowed goal vs. Arsenal (60th min, Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal)
Liverpool have the ball in the net but it's ruled out for offside ❌ pic.twitter.com/qMj1jbLO16
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025
Ekitike momentarily believes he has scored his first goal in front of the Kop, having been alert to follow up inside the six-yard box after David Raya spilled a Florian Wirtz attempt into his path.
However, the linesman's flag shot up almost straight away, and replays show that Ekitike was indeed a good yard or two offside when Wirtz let fly.
Dominik Szoboszlai goal vs. Arsenal (83rd min, Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal)
Dominik Szoboszlai. WOW. ? pic.twitter.com/AmSa5lVgcx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025
Alexander-Arnold who?
Liverpool have found a new right-back who can score the most sensational of free kicks, and his name is Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian lines up a central set-piece from about 30 yards out, aims for the far corner and bends a wonderful strike in off the post beyond David Raya's reach!
MAN OF THE MATCH - DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates on February 23, 2025
Slot had to find a way to fit Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister into his starting XI somehow, and the Dutchman has found the magic formula; the Hungarian has taken to the right-back role like a duck to water.
Not only did the former RB Leipzig man produce the one moment of true quality with an unstoppable free kick, he pinged five accurate long balls to his teammates and made two tackles and six clearances to preserve a potentially unforeseen clean sheet for the champions.
LIVERPOOL VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 53%-47% Arsenal
Shots: Liverpool 9-11 Arsenal
Shots on target: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Corners: Liverpool 3-8 Arsenal
Fouls: Liverpool 7-10 Arsenal
BEST STATS
2 - Liverpool have managed just two shots in the first half of each of their last two Premier League matches. It's the first time they've had as few as that in back to back first halves since January 2004. Lacking.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 31, 2025
83 - Dominik Szoboszlai's strike against Arsenal was Liverpool's latest winning goal (83rd minute) via a direct free-kick in a Premier League game since Steven Gerrard netted against Aston Villa in the 87th minute in August 2007. Eights. pic.twitter.com/5hfN5XmnDR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 31, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Both praying to come through the international break unscathed, Liverpool then travel to Burnley on September 14 before hosting Atletico Madrid in their opening Champions League tie three days later.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates in two Saturdays' time, which precedes their first European match of the season away to Athletic Bilbao on September 16.
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